Patients with an 'empathic' GP at reduced risk of early death

Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a lower risk of early death if they have a doctor who they describe as showing empathy towards them, a new study from the University of Cambridge has found.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/patients-with-an-empathic-gp-at-reduced-risk-of-early-death

Pneumonia patients get too many antibiotics—especially as they leave the hospital

A million times a year, pneumonia sends American adults to the hospital. And while antibiotics help save lives, a new study shows two-thirds receive more antibiotics than they probably need.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/pneumonia-patients-get-too-many-antibiotics-especially-as-they-leave-the-hospital

Teen odds of using marijuana dip with recreational use laws

New research suggests legalizing recreational marijuana for U.S. adults in some states may have slightly reduced teens' odds of using pot.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/teen-odds-of-using-marijuana-dip-with-recreational-use-laws

Archaeologists begin 1st excavations of Boston's Chinatown

Boston is literally digging its Chinatown.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/archaeologists-begin-1st-excavations-of-bostons-chinatown

The parallel ecomorph evolution of scorpionflies: The evidence is in the DNA

With only a few cases of ethanol to preserve tissue samples for total genomic DNA analysis, a trio covered much ground in the mountains of Japan and Korea to elucidate the evolution of the scorpionfly. The rugged scientists set out to use molecular phylogenetic analysis to show that the "alpine" type of scorpionfly and "general" type must be different species. After all, the alpine type exhibit shorter wings than the general type, and alpine type females also have very dark and distinct markings on their wings.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/the-parallel-ecomorph-evolution-of-scorpionflies-the-evidence-is-in-the-dna

Life is tough but so are worms—thanks to mom

Numerous studies show that the legacy of hardship can be passed from one generation to the next. The good news is that resilience can cross generations too.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/life-is-tough-but-so-are-worms-thanks-to-mom

Team finds police shooting racial disparities reflect segregation

Racial residential segregation is the predominant factor that explains why some cities have greater racial disparities in fatal police shootings than others, according to a new study by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researchers published in the Journal of the National Medical Association.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/team-finds-police-shooting-racial-disparities-reflect-segregation

Researchers identify genetic pathway that could enhance survival of coral

Three researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington have made a groundbreaking discovery that could enhance the ability of reef-building corals to survive a rapidly warming and disease-filled ocean.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/researchers-identify-genetic-pathway-that-could-enhance-survival-of-coral

First all-digital nuclear reactor system in the US installed at Purdue University

Nuclear power plants generate 20% of the nation's electricity and are the largest clean energy source in the U.S. But to further offset climate change, the nuclear energy sector needs to extend the lifetime of existing facilities as well as build new ones.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/first-all-digital-nuclear-reactor-system-in-the-us-installed-at-purdue-university

Study shows ways to reduce extreme heat in city neighborhoods

Portland State study demonstrates how plants, trees and reflective materials can reduce extreme heat in city neighborhoods

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/study-shows-ways-to-reduce-extreme-heat-in-city-neighborhoods

Want to boost creativity? Try playing Minecraft

The next time you need to get the creative juices flowing, playing some types of video games may help.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/want-to-boost-creativity-try-playing-minecraft

How do older adults fare after hip fracture?

Hip fractures in older adults can be extremely serious, and often result in chronic illness, death, and increased health care costs. Experts estimate that some 18 to 33 percent of all older adults who have suffered hip fractures will die within a year, with even higher rates of death among people who have dementia or who live in a nursing home.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/how-do-older-adults-fare-after-hip-fracture

Uranium toxicity may be causing high rates of obesity and diabetes in Kuwait

Kuwait has some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world, and scientists don't know why. This question was addressed by Dr. Max Goodson, Emeritus Professor at the Forsyth Institute.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/uranium-toxicity-may-be-causing-high-rates-of-obesity-and-diabetes-in-kuwait

Sneaky mating may be in female damselfies' interest

During the mating season, male damselflies battle fiercely for control of prime territories containing resources—typically patches of floating leaves used for egg deposition in wetlands—that are key to attracting females. To the victors go the spoils: though a dominant male must then diligently guard his hard-won territory against interlopers, ownership of a territory gives him exclusive access to the females that congregate within his domain.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/sneaky-mating-may-be-in-female-damselfies-interest

Pairing 'glue' for electrons in iron-based high-temp superconductors studied

Newly published research from a team of scientists led by the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory sheds more light on the nature of high-temperature iron-based superconductivity.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/pairing-glue-for-electrons-in-iron-based-high-temp-superconductors-studied

New method may resolve difficulty in measuring universe's expansion

Astronomers using National Science Foundation (NSF) radio telescopes have demonstrated how a combination of gravitational-wave and radio observations, along with theoretical modeling, can turn the mergers of pairs of neutron stars into a "cosmic ruler" capable of measuring the expansion of the Universe and resolving an outstanding question over its rate.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/new-method-may-resolve-difficulty-in-measuring-universes-expansion

Looking at how the brain reacts to boredom could help people cope

Boredom is a common human experience. But how people cope with or handle being bored is important for mental health.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/looking-at-how-the-brain-reacts-to-boredom-could-help-people-cope

Screen size matters: Consumers less attentive to news content on small screens

If you're getting your news from a smartphone, size matters.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/screen-size-matters-consumers-less-attentive-to-news-content-on-small-screens

Team pioneers cancer treatment that targets bone metastases while sparing bone

University of California, Irvine researchers have developed and tested on mice a therapeutic treatment that uses engineered stem cells to target and kill cancer bone metastases while preserving the bone.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/team-pioneers-cancer-treatment-that-targets-bone-metastases-while-sparing-bone

Scientists find high mutation rates within huge, old-growth trees

The towering, hundred-year-old Sitka spruce trees growing in the heart of Vancouver Island's Carmanah Valley appear placid and unchanging.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/scientists-find-high-mutation-rates-within-huge-old-growth-trees

New model forecasts anomalous growth patterns for substitutive products and behaviors

New research from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management could upend the approach to sales forecasting for industries from cell phones to cars.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/new-model-forecasts-anomalous-growth-patterns-for-substitutive-products-and-behaviors

Structure of brain networks is not fixed, study finds

The shape and connectivity of brain networks—discrete areas of the brain that work together to perform complex cognitive tasks—can change in fundamental and recurring ways over time, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/structure-of-brain-networks-is-not-fixed-study-finds

Tracing the roots: Mapping a vegetable family tree for better food

Human genetic testing has evolved over the recent decades, allowing people to find their ancestors and even determine specific percentages of their heritage. Much like the advances in human genetic testing recently popularized by commercial organizations have allowed people to gain a better understanding of their ancestry, scientists are now a step closer to determining a genetic family tree for vegetables by linking biology with computer science.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/tracing-the-roots-mapping-a-vegetable-family-tree-for-better-food

Size does matter when it comes to telomeres

One of the more novel studies from the Child Health CheckPoint was the measurement of 'telomeres' – the tiny caps on each strand of our DNA, which serve to protect the ends of our chromosomes. 

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/size-does-matter-when-it-comes-to-telomeres

Aussie pre-teens spend most of their day sitting still, study shows

Long, unbroken stretches of sitting time are common among Australian 11-12 year olds, according to a national snapshot of pre-teen health and disease development.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/aussie-pre-teens-spend-most-of-their-day-sitting-still-study-shows

Problematic sexual behaviour among young children raises concerns for educators

A national survey by University of South Australia researchers has exposed serious gaps in the ability of early childhood teachers, primary educators and carers to identify and respond to young children displaying "problematic sexual behaviours".

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/problematic-sexual-behaviour-among-young-children-raises-concerns-for-educators

Humans 'must be better neighbours' to save elephants

Habitat loss as a result of a human population boom in Africa could threaten the very existence of elephants there, according to a new study.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/humans-must-be-better-neighbours-to-save-elephants

Museum starts 'live' restoration of Rembrandt masterpiece

Amsterdam's famed Rijksmuseum on Monday began a historic restoration of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch", erecting a huge glass cage around the painting so the public can see the work carried out live.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/museum-starts-live-restoration-of-rembrandt-masterpiece

Microvascular disease anywhere in the body may be linked to higher risk of leg amputations

Microvascular disease is independently associated with a higher risk of leg amputation compared to people without the disease, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/microvascular-disease-anywhere-in-the-body-may-be-linked-to-higher-risk-of-leg-amputations

Bitcoin compared to what? New index shows energy consumption

Bitcoin has landed front and center in the ongoing debate over benefits of cryptocurrencies and impact on the environment.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/bitcoin-compared-to-what-new-index-shows-energy-consumption

Quitting alcohol may improve mental well-being, health-related quality of life

Quitting alcohol may improve health-related quality of life for women, especially their mental well-being, according to a study from Hong Kong published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/quitting-alcohol-may-improve-mental-well-being-health-related-quality-of-life

Becoming new parents increases produce purchases

In the United States, both children and adults eat too few fruits and vegetables, which puts them at risk for poor diet quality and adverse health consequences. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found new parents increased their spending on produce in middle- and high-income households.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/becoming-new-parents-increases-produce-purchases

Study confirms disparities in triple-negative breast cancer diagnoses

A new study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, shows that women of color and young women may face elevated risks of developing triple-negative breast cancers, which are often aggressive and do not respond to hormone therapy or targeted therapy.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/study-confirms-disparities-in-triple-negative-breast-cancer-diagnoses

Is that news really 'fake,' or is it just biased?

In an era of concern over "fake news," a new study finds that people draw a distinction between information sources that are dishonest and those that are biased.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/is-that-news-really-fake-or-is-it-just-biased

Snow algae thrive in high-elevation ice spires, an unlikely oasis for life

High in the Andes Mountains, dagger-shaped ice spires house thriving microbial communities, offering an oasis for life in one of Earth's harshest environments as well as a possible analogue for life on other planets.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/snow-algae-thrive-in-high-elevation-ice-spires-an-unlikely-oasis-for-life

Good home learning in early years boosts your secondary school achievements

The positive effects of a rich home learning environment during a child's early years continue into adolescence and help improve test scores later in life, according to a new study published in School Effectiveness and School Improvement.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/good-home-learning-in-early-years-boosts-your-secondary-school-achievements

Robot uses machine learning to harvest lettuce

A vegetable-picking robot that uses machine learning to identify and harvest a commonplace, but challenging, agricultural crop has been developed by engineers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/robot-uses-machine-learning-to-harvest-lettuce

Indonesia cancels tsunami alert after strong quake

A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Indonesia on Sunday, the US Geological Survey reported, triggering a brief tsunami warning that sent panicked residents fleeing to higher ground.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/indonesia-cancels-tsunami-alert-after-strong-quake

BA fined £183m over computer theft of passenger data

British Airways has been fined more than £183 million after computer hackers last year stole bank details from hundreds of thousands of passengers, its parent group IAG said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/ba-fined-183m-over-computer-theft-of-passenger-data

Italy's Prosecco hills join UNESCO World Heritage list

Italy's Prosecco hills northeast of Venice, which have been cultivated for centuries, were on Sunday added to the World Heritage list by the UN cultural organisation.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/italys-prosecco-hills-join-unesco-world-heritage-list